Own Your First‑Gen Journey: Navigating College Admissions with Confidence

College & Career Support
Written By Janise Powell

Writing the Prologue—Why Your Story Matters

A story is just a journey that we don’t yet know the end to. Your story is a chance to share how the things in your life affected you and led to your current goals and the way you think and see the world. And the best part? You get to choose how much or how little of your story you tell (although most of the time, it is just a little because of the word count). The important thing is how your story led you here and what your understanding is of where you are going next. So, the reminder is: it is vital to understand the past chapters of your story so that you can pinpoint the next chapter and how you would like it to end. In short, your story provides insight into your direction.

It is more than just your resume, more than just your academic record and volunteer experience. It is a chance to tell people who you are and what you want them to know about you. No matter your past experiences or family history, when they see you, what do you want them to see? What do you want them to understand about you, your goals, and your future endeavors?

So, if you haven’t already, ask yourself: What moments shaped the path you're currently on—or made you turn or build your own road? What moments make your story matter to you?

Mapping Your Path—Key Admissions Milestones

Once you know your story matters, the next step is preparing for the journey ahead—college admissions. Most people will tell you that the process starts in your junior year, maybe the end of your sophomore year—but I disagree, especially if you do not have a close relationship with someone who has been through the process before.

To be honest, as a first-generation college student, I personally believe the journey starts earlier than that. The journey starts earlier for you because there are additional things you will want to know and support you will want to put in place. So here is my milestones list for first-gen students. Just a note that freshman and sophomore years are a lot about learning, and junior and senior years are about doing.

Before We Begin…

There are some things that should always stay on your radar—no matter what year you're in:

  • Stay on top of your grades – GPA matters more than you think, especially for scholarships.

  • Get involved – Clubs, sports, work, caregiving—it all counts. Leadership and commitment stand out.

  • Save money when and where you can – College apps, test fees, and life after high school aren’t free.

  • Try new things – Take classes or join programs outside your comfort zone. You might discover your major—or confirm what’s not for you.

Freshman Year

  • Connect with juniors and seniors currently navigating the admissions process—and follow their journey into college.

  • Build a real relationship with your guidance counselor (and college counselor if you have one). Let them know your goals early.

  • Start learning how your family’s financial situation might affect your college options and financial aid process.

  • Sign up for pre-college programs, TRIO, or any opportunities for first-gen or underrepresented students.

  • Create a folder (digital or physical) to collect awards, report cards, resumes, and projects. You'll need this later!

Sophomore Year

  • Go to any free college admissions workshops or campus tours—even virtual ones.

  • Attend financial aid info sessions—yes, even if they don’t make total sense yet. Exposure is everything.

  • Start researching colleges that offer strong programs in your areas of interest.

  • Begin considering in-state vs. out-of-state options—cost, culture, distance from home, and support systems.

  • Practice speaking about yourself—your interests, goals, and story. These are the building blocks of your future essays and interviews.

  • Take the PSAT—and use free tools like Khan Academy to prep.

  • Start collecting a list of scholarships you can apply for.

Junior Year

  • Take the PSAT, SAT, or ACT (if required)—and use free tools like Khan Academy to prep.

  • Ask 1–2 teachers who know you well for letters of recommendation before the school year ends.

  • Create a college list with a mix of reach, match, and safety schools.

  • Attend college fairs, overnight programs, or fly-in programs (some cover your travel).

  • Start building your personal statement and supplemental essays over the summer.

  • Learn the difference between FAFSA, CSS Profile, grants, loans, and scholarships.

  • Consider getting a mentor or working with a coach if possible—you don’t have to do this alone.

Senior Year

  • Finalize your college list and keep track of deadlines (applications, financial aid, scholarships, etc.).

  • Submit your FAFSA as early as possible (usually opens October 1).

  • Work with your counselor to send transcripts, school forms, and other documents.

  • Keep your grades up—colleges will see your senior year performance.

  • Apply for local and national scholarships—many are made specifically for first-gen students.

  • Review your financial aid packages and compare your options.

  • Celebrate your wins—big or small. You’re doing something that changes the game for your whole family.

Characters & Conflicts—Highlighting Your Strengths

Now that you have a roadmap, it’s time to dive into who’s at the center of the story: you. One of the most important things to remember when sharing your story is that you are the main character—and main characters have both strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures, growth and lessons learned. When you tell your story, you want to highlight your strengths, your successes, your growth. In this, you spotlight your character, your values, and your north star.

A north star is a symbol for what guides you, what directs your path. It means that even when things get difficult or unstable, you have something leading the way—so although you may stumble, fall, or get lost, you always know the direction you're heading in.

To be clear, this does not have to be about awards and what’s seen in the light. This can be about what is done when no one is looking. Who are you when you are not paying attention? What are strengths that have yet to be publicly recognized? I want to hear about your superpower and how you use it as you navigate the world.

And when I share that moment, I wouldn’t just say it. I would tell the story and try to show it before connecting it all back to my strengths. I would tell you how it came to be. How I was hanging out in my apartment by myself because I was mentally and emotionally exhausted from my own issues when I got a call from my friend R that my other friend, J, was having a mental health crisis, but they were not in a position to support them because they had their own mental health situation and had family visiting. I dropped everything and drove over to meet them. I did a quick check-in with R and made sure they had the support they needed. I got J on a call with a mental health phoneline and learned they were trying to support someone who lost their housing. I had an extra room for a few nights until my roommate moved in, so I offered them the space. I helped the person who would be staying with me load her mattress on top of the car and she followed me back to my place, and then I helped her unload the mattress and take it inside. I offered her what little I had: food, a bed, a shower. No matter what I am doing, or how I feel, if I see someone in need I will do my best to assist—but this story also highlights that I take care of myself as well and make sure to take time for me, yet am able to jump into action to provide support when needed.

Plot Twists—Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

Every strong story has a plot twist—a moment where things didn’t go according to plan. And in your story, those twists might be challenges, setbacks, or moments of uncertainty. These are the stories that show how you turned an obstacle into an opportunity. This is where we talk about the weaknesses, the failures, and the lessons learned.

What is something that was hard for you, but you did it anyway? Something that challenged you, but you still made it happen? This might be something that hurt you or happened to you, and you healed or learned to live with it. There are so many ways that an obstacle can become an opportunity.

Here’s the thing though: sometimes, in telling our stories of struggle, we can hit a point where it starts to feel like we are selling ourselves—or worse, selling our pain. Instead of highlighting transformation, it can turn into a narrative of trauma that we aren't entirely comfortable sharing. Sharing your obstacles should stretch you, but not put you in the panic zone. It shouldn’t feel like you’re focusing on the worst. Instead, it should center your growth and the learning that followed.

For instance, I remember writing my personal statement and talking about the day I found out my parents were getting divorced and how my dad told me I was just like him—the one who caused the divorce—and that he didn’t want to see me on the same path. At the time, I didn’t know what that meant, but later I found out that my dad was a drug addict and had cheated on my mother multiple times. Some people would spend 80% of their essay talking about this moment. I did not. I gave it four to five sentences. And to be honest, I didn’t even really write about the drugs or the cheating. I spent the rest of my essay talking about how that moment led me to reflect deeply on myself—how I show up in the world, how I show up for others, and how I show up for myself so that I could heal from the similar past traumas my father and I shared. That moment didn’t just cause me to grow—it made me think about how I want to continue growing and becoming a lifelong learner.

The obstacle you share should be one that took you out of your comfort zone, past your fear zone, and into your growth and learning zones—where you were learning new skills, solving problems, taking on challenges, setting and achieving goals, and finding purpose.

So yes, your story may have plot twists—even multiple. But when you think about the obstacles in books, they help us better understand the main character. In this case, you are the main character. So help us understand you and your motivations. If you choose to share a challenge, remember: you are not writing your wounds—you are writing your wisdom.

The Climax—Crafting an Authentic Personal Statement

This is where it all comes together. Personal statements aren’t meant to break you down—they’re meant to build you up. At their core, these essays are about showing who you are: your values, your voice, and the journey that shaped your perspective. Yes, they’re personal. But you can write with depth without sharing your deepest wounds. What matters most is that your statement reflects you—your insight, your growth, and your purpose.

Before you write a single word, take a moment to ask yourself: What do I want to say? What do you want the admissions team to walk away knowing about you? That’s your anchor. You decide what you share, what you address, and how. That is my biggest recommendation for crafting an authentic personal statement: you decide, you tell the truth, and you tell it your way.

When you're ready to draft, start with structure. Choose a central message—one that ties your story to who you are becoming. Then write with your voice, not the voice you think colleges want to hear. A simple story arc can help guide you:

  • Challenge – What did you face?

  • Turning point – What changed?

  • Insight – What did you learn?

  • Future goal – Where is this leading you?

Keep the story focused, but don’t get lost in the details. The real power is in the reflection. Focus less on what happened and more on how you grew. Authenticity > perfection. Clarity > complexity.

What makes a personal statement stand out? Honesty, voice, specificity, and reflection. Colleges aren’t looking for the most dramatic story—they’re looking for students who know themselves, who are learning, growing, and thinking critically about what’s next. So write the story you’re proud of—not the one you think they want to hear.

Epilogue—Resources & Next Steps

Now that you’ve explored the parts of your story and the path ahead, you don’t have to go it alone. Here are some helpful resources to keep you moving forward.

Free College Planning Tools

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Essay & Application Help

Coaching & Support Services

  • CollegePoint – Free virtual college advising for high-achieving, low-income students
    https://www.collegepoint.info

  • First-Gen Support Programs at Colleges – Many universities have dedicated support offices. Search “[school name] + first gen program.”

Next Steps with Abundant Stories

At Abundant Stories, we coach first-gen students to tell their stories, map their goals, and confidently navigate college admissions. Whether you're starting early or in the thick of applications, we help you:

✔️ Build a personalized college strategy
✔️ Write a powerful, authentic personal statement
✔️ Make sense of financial aid and scholarship options
✔️ Get clarity on your strengths, major, and path forward
✔️ Feel seen, supported, and celebrated—every step of the way

We know that everyone’s path—and budget—is different. That’s why we offer The Flexible Path, with coaching packages and pricing options designed to meet you where you are. Whether it’s one session or a full journey, we’ll work together to find something that fits.

Janise Powell
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